Post, community offers family fitness opportunities

FORT SILL, Okla.-- Imagine this, it's 5 p.m. and you are sweating from a 3-mile run you just did on a treadmill in the fitness center.

You've just set a record time and you're feeling pretty good. But your thoughts drift off to what your family may be doing at home right now.

You wonder if they would also enjoy a run like you just completed, and decide it would be nice to have their company as well. Families who are active together can improve their fitness and enjoy quality time together.

Instead of making exercise a chore, make it a family affair. For example, take a brisk walk together or challenge the kids to a soccer game.

Any physical activity is a good way to improve your overall health and wellness.

The Lawton-Fort Sill community offers many options for exercise at all fitness levels. From bowling to swimming to hiking, you can find something every member of the family will enjoy.

Swimming pools
What better way to enjoy some refreshing exercise time than to cool off at one of the pools on post.

Quinette outdoor swimming pool is behind the Patriot Club.

There is also a new neighborhood pool at the Community Center on Geronimo Road.
Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area is another fun option. On the beach you can enjoy swimming, playing sand volleyball and building a sand castle with the kids.

Trails
The paved, 3-mile trail near Buffalo Soldiers Acres on Fort Sill provides the perfect spot for running, walking and taking your dog for a walk.

The main entrance to Martha Songbird Nature trail is at the corner of Randolph and Quinette roads and across the street from Butner Field.

These nature trails are an adventure with rustic pathways to explore and local wildlife to meet.

Bowling
Twin Oaks Bowling Center is at 935 Macomb Road. This is a great option for family fitness if you want to avoid the extreme summer heat. Twin Oaks offers 36 lanes to test your bowling skills.

Playgrounds
Playgrounds are near each post housing neighorhood center for you and your little ones to run, jump and play together.

There is also an all-access playground next to the Graham Resiliency Training Campus, Bldg. 2934 Marcy Road.

Fitness classes
When the weather becomes too hot, there are many indoor fitness options including classes offered at Honeycutt, Goldner and Rinehart fitness centers.

Rinehart offers exercise classes from Latin dance to interval and strength training. Children are welcome to join in class, with their parent's supervision, Mejia said.

For a complete listing of classes, visit www.sillmwr.com, click the Recreation tab, then the Fitness Centers tab, and then the July fitness classes link.

In the community
If you are looking for a family fitness event outside Fort Sill, Fit Kids of Southwest Oklahoma has options for you.

Kyle Rogers, Fit Kids community coordinator said there is a family fun run called the Great Tomato Catch-up planned in association with the Tomato Festival. It is July 13 at 10:45 a.m. at the Comanche County Fairgrounds, 920 SW Sheridan Road.

The event is free, and kids will receive race bibs and participation medals. Its also the featured July event for the Fitness in Action Series which is a compilation of walking, hiking, cycling and other fitness-related events sponsored throughout the year by Fit Kids of Southwest Oklahoma.

There will be many opportunities to learn more about the healthy options in and around the Fort Sill community such as cooking demostrations, Latin dance exhibition and a Farmer's Market at the Commissary.

There will be fun for all ages. See upcoming editions of the Cannoneer for more information.